Hello everyone,

I am a postgraduate student at Cirencester Royal Agricultural College. Through my research I am looking at the changes that have taken place and are taking place in the Bassenthwaite Lake catchment. In particular, I am looking at how resilient the ecosystems, society and the economy in that catchment actually are. When these three domains are considered together, scientists have begun calling them social-ecological systems. This involves understanding how people in the catchment are linked to the natural environment using ecosystem services, these might simply be through fishing, farming or enjoying a view of the landscape. The use of the word ‘system’ is important here, implying that when we look at the problems in the catchment, we also consider the components, connections and changes beyond the close vicinity of the issue. In turn identifying the drivers that may not immediately be very obvious, and acknowledging that changes in one place of the system will inevitably have impacts else where. Like how the Bassenthwaite Lake restoration programme is trying to address the issues associated with the lake across the catchment. Resilience can be understood as the capacity for a system to absorb some kind of shock or variability (such as an extreme storm) without falling apart. One characteristic of a resilient social-ecological system for example could be the level of trust and knowledge exchange between people in a community that can be mobilised to solve problems. Resilience provides a perspective of how the world operates, our place as individuals in it and how we come to accept change through the way in which we manage the natural environment.

The Bassenthwaite Reflections programme as a convergence zone for people, has the potential to increase resilience in the catchment.

Fundamental to my understanding of the catchment is to somehow engage with the people who live, work and play in it. This forum could act as an important portal to the people, where issues can be discussed and thoughts for the future considered. I have also developed some questionnaires for stakeholders in the catchment to help me understand what people are thinking and doing.

I have now managed to get these online there is one concerning the current situation in the catchment and one about the future, they can be found here

Now http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=8UW_2fNLRp23YcbtmhK3I6sQ_3d_3d

Future http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JZUGniF5BBEVPw5UYrJaSQ_3d_3d

I am interested in developing a historical timeline of management in the catchment, this fits very well with the ‘taming and training’ project of the ‘landscape shaped by water’ theme. Using resilience theory, this can help identify any cycles of change in the catchment. The development of a few scenarios that consider the possible futures of the catchment is also a goal of my study, these have been recognised by natural resource managers as a valuable way for people to consider the likely outcomes of certain decisions. Scenarios have proven a useful tool in the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a study into how ecosystem change affects human well-being. Once I have received completed questionnaires, I can then begin creating some scenarios that could be posted on this forum for people to consider and give feedback on.

My main limitation is not knowing enough about the catchment so I am really grateful for peoples assistance. At the moment this forum seems quite empty, so if someone has a means to increase its awareness I would be able to harness its potential. There is really no other appropriate forum for this post, maybe there is a need for a ‘general discussions’ area?

More information on the concept of resilience is available here: http://www.resalliance.org/1.php